This collection of papers on the intercultural communication between the United States and Japan is divided into three sections. The first section, "Introduction to Intercultural Communication," describes the background of the relationship between Japan and the United States, the history of the study of intercultural communication, and some of the problems related to it--barriers that make communication between Americans and Japanese more difficult. The second section, "Influences on Culture and Cultural Influences," includes seven papers on various aspects of communication between Americans and Japanese. The third section, "Japanese Students' Knowledge of American Culture," is made up of five studies related to Japanese students' contact with Americans and American culture, their knowledge of American culture, and the problems that they face in the United States. The book also includes a bibliography compiled for teachers of English in Japan who are interested in the influence of culture and intercultural communication on language teaching and learning. (MS)